Destined Girl

Ch.6: Several Weeks of Travel

My horse trampled the ground slowly, the snow kept blurring my sight.

It had been three weeks since I departed from my homeland and there is still no news of my brother or anyone who can help me. I have heard several rumors about my brother, Aang heading up to the North Pole. I almost at the tip of America, I was planning on taking a ferry across the ocean and land in the Earth Kingdom.

America isn't that huge, it is a small landmark that is broken off of the Fire Nation after an independence war about 500 years back, there are small towns and a couple of major cities, we usually consider this city-states.

Anyhow, I continued my long journey. The first week of the journey felt very easy but gradually as I traveled, out in the middle of nowhere, it became even worse. Weather conditions worsen and we had the lack of food and water.

Hopefully within about two days I should reach the harbor and sail from America to the Earth Kingdom like I mentioned before. I took a quick look at my map as I wrapped my thin blanket around me as tight as possible for warmth. The snow fall began to turn into a blizzard. I looked at Alainn.

"We should scout for a cave," I told her, more to myself. "The storm's gettin' worse"

She neighed as if she agreed with me.

"Come on," I said as I climbed off of her. "I think I saw a cave back there"

We headed into a rocky terrain, I clutched her reins as she walked beside me, I covered my eyes with my hand as an attempt to block out the white particles. I squinted, all I could see was the white blanket and small distance shapes of trees and rocks.

In about ten minutes, I found the cave I talked about earlier. Alainn and I entered the cave as I felt relieved we found shelter. I turned to Alainn and I began to take off her equipment.

"We'll stay here," I said. "At least till the storm lits up"

She bobbed her head as I took off her bridal. I sat it down.

"I guess I should start a fire" I said to myself. I looked for twigs and sticks. I found some eventually after about 5 minutes of looking. I set down my findings as I began to combine the sticks, I struck a couple of rocks together as an attempt to light the sticks. I grinded the rough sides together until I saw a spark fly out of the rocks and at the sticks, lighting it up.

I smiled at my achievement as I set down the rocks. I saw Alainn walk up behind me and laid down on her belly, her rear legs tucked in and her front legs sprawled out, she wanted me to lean back against her as she provided me more warmth along with the thin blanket, she rested her head as I patted it.

"Thanks Alainn," I said. She snorted in return and I drifted into a peaceful sleep.

I woke up after a dream about home, which is rare considering I have a lot lf nightmares.

I was back home, it was a warm fall day and I was outside of the schoolhouse, no one was noticing me but I saw the kids run around and talk. I saw Tommy and Sam leaned against the oak tree. I walked up to them.

"Hey boys," I greeted.

"So when do you think Maddy'll arrive back home," Sam asked his brother, they didn't even notice I was here.

"I hope soon," Tommy said. "I miss her, a whole lot"

"It's a bit empty without her around," Sam said, "At least Johnny's a bit nicer"

I smiled.

"Will seems to be a great lad though" Tommy assured. "Reminds me of Maddy a bit"

"Yeah," Sam said. "He can even crack a few jokes"

My smile went wider. Tommy bowed his head.

"Maddy sure is a lucky girl," Tommy said with envy. "She gets to travel"

My smile turned into a frown.

"I wish the best for Maddy," Sam said. "It no ordinary journey, she's gotta fight that Firelord Ozai by summer's end if I can recall"

I nodded in agreement.

"I don't think its her destiny to do this alone" Tommy said. "I still think we should of left"

"And do what?" Sam questioned. "Nothin?"

"Maddy is about to face one of the most terrifying men in the world!" Tommy said, throwing his arms up in exaggeration. I looked at him and shook my head.

"You wouldn't like the way this journey turns out Tom" I said. "It's Hell, I don't want you to suffer like I am right now"

Sam put a hand on his brother shoulder.

"Maddy's a brave young lass" Sam said. "It's her destiny and her destiny only. You got yer's, gettin' a great education"

Tommy smiled as he looked at his brother. Tommy looked really good looking in that scene, his face turned away from mine but I saw his small grin.

I woke up, I groggily rubbed my eyes as I saw my fire burning into embers. I looked up and saw that the storm had died down and all that was left was flurries. I saw Alainn still sleeping.

"I reckon we should hitch up and go" I said as I stared at my beautiful white horse. She had a gray mane and a few brown dots but she looked sweet and she was. I love her, it would break my heart if I lost her. I nudged her with my elbow.

"Come on girl," I said as I got up. I stretched and yawned, allowing the blanket to fall on the ground. Alainn slowly got herself up, she stretched her normal horse way and I began to walk over to our belongings. I picked up my sword, leaning on a small boulder, and attached it to my sash. I then grabbed Alainn's saddle as she walked up to me as quietly as possible. I set the saddle on her back and strapped it under his belly. I then slid the bridal on and fed her a carrot. She quietly munched on her breakfast as I got myself prepared to go. I slid on my hat and took a good look at Alainn. Her soft eyes told me she wanted more food. "Sorry girl, I don't have more carrots"

She neighed. I slightly smiled.

"I'll tell you what," I said. "Next town we see, I'll ride in and purchase some food. For the both of us"

She agreed as I grabbed the reins and we walked out. I climbed on her back and snapped the reins, heading into the distance. We arrived at the road that would lead into the next town.

I arrived at food stall, a man who sold a lot of rare foods. I walked up to him as I walked with Alainn.

"Hello young traveler," he greeted me as he bowed in respect.

"Hello" I said as I slightly bowed back. He pointed at my horse.

"That is an amazing animal" he said. I nodded. "What's it's name?"

"Her name's Alainn," I said. "It means "beautiful" in Gaelic."

"Ah, an ancient language" he said. I nodded. "What do you wish to have?"

"I want about four carrots, a couple of ripe apples and a chunk of meat." I ordered. He nodded. He packaged everything and handed it to me in a shape of a box.

"That will be 1 silver piece" he told me. I set down my silver coin as he took it. He smiled at me. "Where are you heading too?"

"Not really sure" I said. "I'm looking for my brother, he's the Avatar"

"The avatar?" he asked. I nodded. "That must make you the other avatar"

I shrugged. He seemed so enthusiastic about it.

"Wow!" he said as he grabbed the top of his head with both his hands. "The avatar, Avatar Saro"

I nodded.

"It is such an honor" he said as he bowed once more. I looked at Alainn and shrugged.

"Eh," I said. "Not much to it"

"I have heard about your brother," he said. I looked at him.

"Pardon?" I asked.

"Your brother is heading up to the Northern Water Tribe," he told me. "To learn waterbending"

"Yeah," I said. "Sorry to rain on your parade, but I heard about that"

"Oh," he said, he blinked once. He reached down and handed me another package. "Here is some more food,"

"I don't have enough money to-"

"For free" he finished.

"No," I said. "I can't accept that"

"Please accept it" he said. "You need it, you have a very long journey"

I looked at Alainn and shrugged again. We both looked back at him. I reached for the package.

"Thanks" I said.

"Take care and good luck Avatar Saro" he said as he bowed once more. I slid my food into my pouch and climbed on Alainn's back. We soon rode out of the town.

"Sure was nice that man gave us free food right Alainn?" I asked her as she did her job. She neighed as her mane flew with the wind. I felt the wind brush my face as I clutched her reins.

We rode throughout that day and into the night. We rode up a hill and I found something surprising. It was the harbor!

I got off Alainn and my feet touched the ground, sending a cool sensation on my feet from the snow. I took off my hat.

"Alainn," I said. "We got here earlier than I thought"

I put my hat back on.

"I suppose we should ride into the town and get some tickets for the next ride" I said. I mounted myself on her back as we rode down the hill. I arrived within minutes at the ticketbooth. I looked at the man who was reading some letter. I walked up to him with Alainn's reins in my hand.

"Sir?" I asked as I set my free hand on his desk.

"What do you want?" he snapped as he looked up. His features softened. "Oh sorry, it's been a long day"

"I understand" I said. "I need a ticket, maybe two counting my horse"

"Your horse?" he asked. Alainn came closer. He looked at me. "I don't know if I can fit a horse on board"

"Please sir?" I asked. "I'm the Avatar, in desperate need to find my brother"

His eyes widened.

"Why of coarse" he said. "It will cost you though, business hasn't been very well lately."

"I understand" I said. "How much?"

"1 gold piece." He said. I skimmed my pouch for any sign of money, I pulled out my remainder of my money.

"This is all I have sorry," I said. He looked at it.

"Maybe just for you," he said. "I can make an acception"

I nodded.

"I'll take your silver pieces and you can keep your copper" he said. "You may need it in the future"

I nodded as I swiped my coins off his desk and slid them in my bag. He stamped a ticket for me and handed it to me.

"Good luck" he said. I nodded as I walked over to the shipyard. I looked at my ticket.

"Huh," I said. "Next ship leaves in ten minutes"

I walked up to the Ticketmaster as he checked my ticket. He looked up.

"A horse?" he asked.

"Sir," I said. "She's all I have and I need to have her when I reach the Earth Kingdom"

He nodded, solemnly.

"Up the ramp," he said. "We'll find a place for your horse"

Two men came over and Alainn took alarm. She was about to jump up on her hind legs.

"Oi! Alainn," I soothed. I pat her neck. "It's alright"

She began to calm down as I handed her over to the cargo loaders.

"Sorry," I apologized. "She doesn't act that way often"

"All horses do" he said. "Go on"

The ship was a wooden ship with a couple of masts to hoist the sails. Alainn came on deck and was tied down. She neighed as I made my way over to her.

"Don't worry," I said to her. "It won't be forever"

It felt like forever though.

To be continued.